40 min
Overview
The Salem Hills, also known as the Red Clay Hills, form a small range in the southern part of the City of Salem. Suburban development has spread over the hills and abuts expansive rural properties. There are few trails here, but the Salem Area Trail Alliance is busy remedying the problem. The two trails described in this entry were developed in the new millennium. In 2006, work began on long-established user trails along an abandoned route of Croisan Scenic Way. In 2012, under the vision of Mark Wigg, the Trail Alliance and the Chemeketans worked together to develop the Croisan Meadow Loop in the Skyline Natural Area next to Sprague High School. From the Meadow Loop, you can also access Croisan Creek, which is out of sight for most of this hike. The two trail systems described can be connected via a short walk on city streets. The Skyline Natural Area Trailhead is on the grounds of Charles A. Sprague High School, and the parking area may be fully occupied during the week. Use this trailhead in the summer and on weekends only, and begin at the Croisan Scenic Trailhead on weekdays at other times of the year (The route is described below to begin at the Skyline Natural Area Trailhead). From the Skyline Natural Area Trailhead, hike past the Salem Area Trail Alliance sign to a junction. Make a left to begin the lower section of the Croisan Meadow Loop. Douglas-fir is the dominant conifer here, with snowberry, trailing blackberry, sword fern, hazel, and invasive ivy in the understory. Poison oak can be seen climbing the tree trunks in a few places. At a junction, keep right and make a gently descending traverse under oak trees. Cross a trickling creek, and descend to the left on a spur that takes you out to a sloping meadow. Below you, Croisan Creek cuts through a layer of 15 million-year-old lava. You can take a user trail down the grassy sward to the creek itself. Tall big-leaf maples and cottonwoods shade the stream. Return to the main trail, and continue to the left. Keep left at another junction, and drop alo
Trail Stats
0.0 km
198 m
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Photos
400px-CroisanLoopMap
400px-CroisanLoopMap
250px-In_Belcrest_Memorial_Park%2C_Salem
250px-In_Belcrest_Memorial_Park%2C_Salem
250px-Croisan_Creek%2C_Skyline_Natural_Area
250px-Croisan_Creek%2C_Skyline_Natural_Area
250px-Big_Douglas-fir%2C_Skyline_Natural_Area
250px-Big_Douglas-fir%2C_Skyline_Natural_Area
400px-Joggers_on_abandoned_road%2C_Croisan_Scenic_Trail
400px-Joggers_on_abandoned_road%2C_Croisan_Scenic_Trail